A Life of Studying the Word of God
by Suzanne Benner
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.??? (Psalm 119:9 – 11)
Because my son recently attained his driving learners’ license, I have heard lots of stories of how many times teenagers have failed the test. Regardless of their parents’ advice or their friends’ experience, each one seems to think that that he doesn’t need to study. A casual look at the manual ought to be enough, they think.
Too often we approach our Christian life in the same manner. We think, “I go to church; I have a general idea of what God wants; that should be enough to get me through.???
More than a handbook of rules, the Bible is a love story written to us. It isn’t an archaic manual; it is the book of life. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double – edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.??? (Hebrews 4:12)
It is active and interactive. A couple years at Bible school won’t carry you through your whole life; weekly Sunday school classes or sermons won’t sustain you for the whole week.
Daily, we need to listen to God by studying His word.
As we read the Bible, we discern who God is. When we study, we find encouragement for our current struggles. By memorizing passages of Scripture, we discover strength for our difficult decisions.
~God, I want to know You. Help me to be diligent in studying Your word.
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions: When is the best time for you to read the Bible? How does studying go beyond reading? What are some good “study habits??? that you have discovered?
2. Comment on the devotional blog. Interact with others who are reading today’s devotional. Visit http://talk.thelife.com/ and double click on “Comment??? (just under the devotional title).
3. Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat
4. Related reading: How to have an inductive Bible Study:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/growth/inductivebiblestudy.html
About the Author
This devotional was written by Suzanne Benner. Read more about Suzanne: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
Copyright
This devotional is protected by copyright laws and may not be reprinted or posted to a site without permission from TruthMedia Internet Group. All readers are welcome to forward the devotional to a friend or link to it. If you would like to seek permission to reprint the devotional in full, please see our guidelines: http://talk.thelife.com/reprint-permission/
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions:
What are the things about which you are anxious? How can desiring one thing simplify your life?
2. Comment on the devotional blog. Interact with others who are reading today’s devotional. Visit http://talk.thelife.com/ and double click on “Comment??? (just under the devotional title).
3. Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat
4. Related reading: The discipline of simplicity: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/home/simplicity.html
About the Author
This devotional was written by Suzanne Benner. Read more about Suzanne: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
Copyright
This devotional is protected by copyright laws and may not be reprinted or posted to a site without permission from TruthMedia Internet Group. All readers are welcome to forward the devotional to a friend or link to it. If you would like to seek permission to reprint the devotional in full, please see our guidelines: http://talk.thelife.com/reprint-permission/
14 Responses to “A Life of Studying the Word of God”
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
>Watch
- Contact
- |
- Advertising
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Link to Us
- |
- Media Releases
- |
- What we believe
Dear Laura,
Studying, for me, is more intentional that reading. It means taking the time to stop and ask questions about the context like: Who said it to whom? Where did it take place? What was the situation surrounding the event? Why did it happen? What was the outcome?
As well, we can ask ourselves questions about how it applies to my life like: Is there a sin for me to avoid? Is there a promise for me to trust? Is there an example for me to follow? Is there a command for me to obey? Is there a revelation about God?
Also studying can mean reading from different parts of the Bible in the same sitting. For example, if you are reading in the New Testament and it makes reference to something that happened in the Old Testament, take the time to find the passage in the Old Testament and read it for yourself.
Studying often is aided by the use of a notebook and pen. For instance, as you read through the gospels make a note of every characteristic of Jesus you find.
Or, read the same stories in all the gospels it is recorded in (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – often there are notes in your Bible telling you where to find the same story in a different book), then make a chart of the different aspects of the story that the different authors bring to light.
Another way I like to study is to write (or type out) all the verses I can find about a certain subject like having joy, or fearing God, or fixing my eyes on Jesus (a concordance can help you with this). Then with all these verses in one place I review them and pick out the similarities and differences to discover the overall theme of what the Bible says on that topic.
I hope these ideas help you begin to go deeper into the Word of God. May God bless you as you honor Him by studying the Bible.
In Christ’s love,
Suzanne Benner
it has been really busy for me lately. for the past two weeks, my life has not been the
same. we are down to one car and it’s hard to get any time in with the lord. today, i’ve decided to make time and relax in him. this was a good reminder for me.
i know when i still away and be queit, i find that peace and strength i need.
thanks
god bless
I have just come into God’s light a few weeks ago. I’ve been reading the Bible for about two months. I am filled with Love whenever I read it or think about it. I look forward to reading every day. I read at night after the day’s work is done. I look back on the day and tell God how wonderful it was and how beautiful the clouds were in my bedtime prayer.
My favorite scripture is (paraphrased) “Work hard and joyfully as though you were working for the Lord instead of for people”. I have that on my work computer. It has helped me tremendously!
What is the difference. How is studying the word different for you than reading the word? What do you do differently?
I agree with you Suzanne. It is one thing to just casually read the word and another to STUDY the word. There is so much more when we MAKE time to study. I thank God for keeping me mindful of this in my daily struggle through life.
I love the Word of God, and I need to study every day. It is my time to hear from God. Often, the Word for the day will speak to a particular need or give me the direction I am seeking.
I find that early morning study works best for me. I make a point to get up earlier than needed so that I may have uninterrupted study and prayer time. It really makes my days go better.
Be blessed.
Barbara
All things will pass away but my word will live forever !
Truth ingrained within our hearts will truly give us wisdom , God focus , guidance every step of the way . May God grant us all the patience and real love for His word to read , chew , live it in our lives and truly to learn to depend upon His words in every situation in our lives . His word pierces the hearts , renew our minds , bring healing both physical and spiritual , exchange the lies of satan for His truth , brings the fountain of life , hope to every desperate circumstances and the word is God . Yield to His word and the compassionate God whose love faileth not will always be there for each and every one of us . For at the end of the day you and I will agree …God ‘s word is alive to all those who breathe it within their inner depth of themselves . God , I yield to thy word for it will be the only ingredient that will make my day bright and my being filled with your holy presence . Thank You God ! Am forever grateful for I hang on to your promises to grant me all that I ever need to grow closer to thee .
Linda:
I have a Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek dictionary. Many times you can get them real cheap. I paid $10 on sale long time ago for mine. Anyway, If we look up alot of the verbs in a sentence you’ll find out it’s not literal. For instance: In Ex. 15:26 where God said that if you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.
The word PUT actually means PERMIT in this verse. Many people take this verse and say that God puts diseases on us. Not so. Be blessed.
I love church, sunday school, etc. I learn from these every time I attend which is weekly. I read devotionals on internet, I read my ss lesson and read God’s Word at home but as far as studying, I am weak. Please suggest how I can dig deeper and study so that I might retain what I read.
I began to earnestly read and study my Bible during a transistion period in my life. I had known from years past that when I was troubled to take it to the Lord. As my emotional heart shattered, my spirtual heart grew. I learned to ask the Holy Spirit to sit in my heart/live there always. There was not enough room for the Holy Spirit and doubt and all of Satan’s other tactics. Once fully devoted to studying my Bible everyday, I added The Upper Room, a Joyce Meyers devotional for morning and one for night, and I began to journal my prayers and heart’s concerns. I’m on a higher ground now, and I want to learn more. Whether I learn my purpose or not is not the issue, what I have learned is that I must keep myself open to whatever God has in store for me during the day. I have had a busy day scheduled, only to have something or someone to change it. Always I have received blessings for answering the call. God is alive and working many miracles and answering many prayers in our lives. Loudly praise His name!
The Word of God is so powerful. It is absolutely awesome that people have tried to burn it, tear it, and attack it, and yet it is the number 1 best seller. It speaks to all times and all people. I believe it is the most important thing in our lives – the reading of God’s word. It is so rich, so true and so enlightening. God speaks directly to our souls !
I am an avid reader who can read all day and night without pause. However, I have always thought the Bible to be too boring to read like a story book. Until recently. I can’t put The Book down. The more I read, the more I learn about Christ, the more I want to read. I know I have lots to learn on how to really study the Word, but I’m glad I have the Word, because “…the Word is God,” John 1:1.
The Word of God is alive and may we all let it divide the wrong from the right within us!
May God bless you all as you take steps towards Him. Get ready to be blessed.
Love in Christ.
Right on Suzanne! This is so true. I have found I need to be in the word daily for encouragement, and strength to live the purpose driven life God has designed me for. Thanks for sharing these truths today. Blessings!!